Research at the National Archives

How to Rent Microfilm from the National Archives

Microfilm Publications Available Through the Microfilm Rental Program

  • Census Records
    • 1790-1930

  • Genealogical Revolutionary War Records
    • Compiled Military Service Records of Revolutionary War Soldiers, and the General Index to those records
    • Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files.

  • New Freedmen's Bureau Records
    • NARA has a Congressional mandate to microfilm Freedmen's Bureau Records and make them available through the Microfilm Rental Program.
    • We are currently filming Field Office Records.
    • Please call or write the Rental program to find which records are available.

Please note that the microfilm publications listed here are the only ones available through the Microfilm Rental Program at this time.

Here's What You Get from the NARA Microfilm Rental Program

Researcher sitting at microfilm viewer.

  • Fast, quality service:
    • Orders are filled promptly
    • You will be notified if there is a delay.
    • We're dedicated to providing you with excellent service.

  • The lowest prices available:
    • The lowest prices for renting microfilm — As low as $2.50 a roll
    • You get the best clarity and readability available from any genealogical source!

  • Long rental period:
    • You can use the microfilm rolls for a full 30 days — the longest rental period offered anywhere!

  • Convenience:
    • You can rent official microfilm rolls by
      1. Becoming a member of the National Archives Rental Program
      2. Ordering through your local library.

  • Ongoing information Service
    • New members who choose to purchase a Startup Kit will receive all the information you need to begin your genealogical research
    • Members receive
      1. Continuous updates
      2. Notification of new opportunities and census availability.

Two ways to rent official National Archives microfilm rolls — direct or through your local library!

Go Direct! and Join the Microfilm Rental Program

Purchase a Start-up Kit for only $31 and here's what you get:

  • Your complete set of census catalogs listing all microfilm rolls available to order:
    • The Federal Population Census catalogs for the 1790 through 1890, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 censuses;
    • Two member order forms for microfilm rental, plus two bonus coupons for rental of your first two rolls of microfilm FREE!
    • Free lifetime membership in the National Archives Microfilm Rental Program.Your membership entitles you to order directly from the program.
    • Helpful brochures that include Using Records in the National Archives for Genealogical Research and the order forms for ship passenger arrival and veteran records.

OR

Go to Your Library!

  • More than 6,000 libraries nationwide participate in the National Archives Microfilm Rental Program.
  • Visit the interlibrary loan division of your local library to find the participating library in your area.
  • Or call us at 301-604-3699 to find the library nearest you.
  • The library can assist you in researching the exact reels you need to rent.

You do not need to purchase a Start-up Kit in order to rent microfilm from NARA.


How Microfilm Rental Works

  1. Most orders are processed promptly.

  2. Rental and shipping fees are based on volume discounts.
Rental:
1-4 rolls - $3.50 each
5-9 rolls - $3.00 each
10 or more rolls - $2.50 each

Shipping:
1-9 rolls - $6.00 per order
10-24 rolls - $11.00 per order

3. You may keep the film for an additional month only longer by remitting a check $3.25 per roll.

4. Users will be charged an $18 replacement fee for lost or damaged film and $3.25 per roll for overdue film.


Download and Print the Microfilm Rental Order Form

  • PDF Format

    For printing a document in PDF format:
    • You need access to a printer and the Adobe Acrobat Reader software (see link below). This form is a total of 2 pages.
    • The Microfilm Rental Order Form is formatted for letter size paper (8.5" x 11"). If your printer can not accommodate this, select "shrink to fit" when the Adobe Acrobat Reader "Print" dialog box appears.
Adobe Acrobat   Download the latest version of the FREE Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader.

For more information, please contact:

National Archives Census Microfilm Rental Program
P. O. Box 30
9050 Junction Drive
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0030

Telephone: 301-604-3699
Fax: 301-206-9789

Please note: Census research is not available through this program.

PDF files require the free Adobe Reader.
More information on Adobe Acrobat PDF files is available on our Accessibility page.

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001
Telephone: 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272